1868 shield nickels occur with both the reverse of 1867 (IIa) and the reverse of 1868 (IIb). The reverse of 1868 was only used in 1868. The reverse of 1868 exhibits a different placement of the reverse stars, which point to the midpoint of A
(STATES), left foot of M (AMERICA), and to the midpoint of R (AMERICA).

Varieties of the 1868 hub are differentiated by letters
which broke off the master hub in sequence as the hub was used. The sequence for breaking is C (CENTS) S (CENTS) S (first S in STATES) D (UNITED).

Here we have the "no broken letters" variety,
probably the toughest of the five hub stages to find.

It's important to note that ALL 1868 with reverse of 1867 show no broken letters, so make sure you have a reverse of 1868 before considering the hub varieties documented on this page. In addition to the five hub varieties shown on this webpage, there are also transitional varieties showing partially broken letters within the C/S/S/D sequence.

L2: 1868 S2-0001 FS-901 (FS-002.94)

The first letter to break is the C in CENTS.

L3: 1868 S2-0002 FS-902 (FS-002.95)

This stage shows both a broken C and a broken S in cents.

L4: 1868 S2-0003 FS-903 (FS-002.96)

This stage shows three broken letters. In addition to the
prior broken letters in CENTS, now the first S in STATES is broken.

L5: 1868 S2-0004 FS-904 (FS-002.97)

The final hub stage shows four broken letters. In addition to the previous
three, now the D in UNITED is broken.

The reverse of 1868 varieties were first researched and thoroughly
documented by Dennis Paulsen.